Neuronavigated Repetitive Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation Induces Long-Lasting and Reversible Effects on...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuromodulation
• Primate Research

Background:

• Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS) offers safe, non-invasive brain modulation with high spatial resolution.
• Previous studies demonstrated TUS's ability to modulate visuomotor behavior in non-human primates using single pulses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the sustained effects of repetitive Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (rTUS) on oculomotor behavior in non-human primates.
• To evaluate the efficacy of neuronavigated rTUS for neuromodulation procedures outside of an MRI scanner.

Main Methods:

• Applied 20-second trains of neuronavigated rTUS to frontal oculomotor regions in three non-human primates performing an antisaccade task.
• Utilized MRI imaging and a frame-less stereotactic neuronavigation system (SNS) for precise TUS targeting.
• Compared behavioral outcomes (saccade latency) between rTUS and no-rTUS conditions.

Main Results:

• Neuronavigated rTUS significantly reduced saccade latencies compared to control trials.
• The observed behavioral modulation persisted for up to 20 minutes post-stimulation.
• Oculomotor behavior returned to baseline levels within 18-31 minutes, with no significant auditory confounds identified.

Conclusions:

• Neuronavigated rTUS is an effective tool for inducing persistent neuromodulation of behavior in non-human primates.
• This study provides the first quantification of sustained behavioral effects and return-to-baseline times following neuronavigated rTUS.
• The findings support TUS as a valuable method for studying brain function and developing new therapeutic interventions.